***Disclaimer*** for creative purposes only, and I claim no ownership of the fandom, characters and setting.
Apologies, I had wanted to update days ago but I struggled to tie this chapter up a lot more than I thought I would. It's a short chapter and for days I've tried to add to it but nothing felt natural and I realised that it's just a short chapter and I reverted back to the original form.
I would like to conform I am aiming for my fortnightly updates again. Thanks again for your amazing responses, of course there mixed at the moment and I can't really comment much *zips mouth and through away the key* because spoilers. I got a kick a while ago when a certain reviewer, who has an uncanny ability of predicting many plot points, mentioned Clay with Brooke. Thanks to B4C, WMC, GH Jasam Fan, New to Broke, fish33o, Nope, bjq, NotRob, Callison, blz7, BrookeLucas, BrucasLove, breathbookslove, evilythedwarf, princesakarlita411, elijahmontanez543, lileen, diane, LoverGurrl411, SassyGrl23 and the gusts reviewers. A big thanks and welcome to the new reviewers and followers.
Chapter Twenty-Four
It was one thing and a million things that Brooke missed about living with Sam. The teenager had always kept Brooke on her toes and she hadn't been in the house for five minutes before making herself at home and teasing Brooke about everything under the sun.
The house was eerily silent except the two of them, Sam giggled from her spot on the floor, fluffed up by pillows, where she lay in a long baggy plaid shirt that had seen better days and her hair already looking like a bird's nest.
"Come on, Brooke. It's not like you didn't drink at my age, one glass won't kill me" she rolled her eyes.
Perched on the couch in a fluffy gown Brooke slowly sipped her glass of wine, she exaggerated her pleasure with each sip until Sam threw a pillow straight at her. Brooke was quick enough to save her glass but she threw the pillow back, "hey, do you know how much this couch cost!"
"More than they're worth" Sam huffed, "you have a kid now, you're not allowed nice, new things" she said it ever so sweetly and Brooke threw a cushion at Sam.
Instead of reacting Sam took the new cushion and rolled over placing it with the others under her head, she stared at the roof amazed at how perfect it was, smooth and unblemished. Brooke watched where she sat, the older woman placed the near empty wine glass down and leant her chin atop her hands, she watched the teenager in front of her and smiled.
"So what new drama is unfolding on the sleepy streets of Tree Hill?" Sam kept her eyes on the roof.
"No drama"
Sam rolled back over and lifted herself up, her dark eyes widening, "oh, bullshit, it's been how long since Peyton did a runner? And instead of grabbing your man before some twenty-year-old nerd snaps him up you're doing the dirty with some manwhore-"
"Oh my god, Sam, just because I can't ground you anymore-"
"We should be able to talk girl to girl" Sam interrupted Brooke and plopped herself down on the couch, "and as happy I am you are finally getting some-" she ignored Brooke's grumble, "-I'm with Haley on this, you deserve better than being some guys booty call"
Laughing loudly Brooke took a moment before leaning forward so her nose was close to Sam's, "girl to girl… he's my booty call not the other way around"
"You know he's hooking up with other women?" Sam changed her tactics.
Brooke reacted by rolling her eyes, her head fell back and she sighed, "and that has nothing to do with me. Besides, how do you even know that?"
"When I babysat at Naley's last time Haley had a lot to say" Sam smiled, "Nathan defended you though, he said you can do whatever or whoever you like and it's not any of our business"
"I always liked Nathan"
"So I've heard" Sam raised an eyebrow and Brooke elbowed the teenager, "I love that you can't tell me off anymore"
"I may not be your foster mother anymore but I am still the responsible adult and you are currently under my roof"
A look passed over Sam's face, her smile dropped, and she gave a little nod to herself. Looking into Sam's eyes Brooke saw a flicker of disappointment and her mind went over everything Sam had been saying, she sighed and pulled the teenager in for a hug, "being an adult can be complicated sometimes"
"It's just you're wasting time with this guy who you don't even care about and who doesn't care about you. And you had Julian, he was great and he would have done anything for you, but you said no to him for some insane reason"
"That was bad timing, Julian wanted more than I could give him"
"And then you choose a guy who wants nothing" Sam mumbled something and then said louder, "but what do you want?"
Brooke's lips parted and no words came out.
"How would you feel if it was me?" Sam changed tactics and Brooke narrowed her eyes, even as Brooke went to answer Sam held up a finger, "and don't say it's not the same thing"
"Let's change the subject" Brooke kissed Sam's cheek as she stood, "I'm going to check on the boys and grab some more chocolate"
As soon as Brooke left the room Sam scanned her surroundings, she hesitated briefly and then reached for Brooke's abandoned glass of wine and tentatively took a sip, "eck" Sam's expression contorted and she carefully placed the glass back down.
With soft, silent footsteps Brooke ascended the back staircase. Though she had planned to give Noah the largest room to the far left of the house, instead Noah chose the smallest room on the right that was unique in the view it offered overlooking the back of the house and to the river. It was still a large room and its door was just a right turn from the back staircase, Brooke gently pushed the door open and let the light into the room.
Noah lay asleep on his side under the blankets of the bottom bunk, a hand tucked under one pillow and the other holding an open book perilously on the edge of the bed. Quiet snores came from Noah's lanky form, while on the top bunk Jamie lay on his stomach, half under the covers, a leg poking from under the safety rail and one arm hugging a pillow.
Unlike his cousin, Jamie was sleeping quietly, he shifted, one leg spreading further and even in sleep he turned his face away from the light. Brooke quickly made her way to bed, the yellow walls made the light reflect brighter and Brooke had no trouble seeing as she slipped the book from between Noah's fingers, after she replaced the bookmark Brooke placed the book on the bedside table and smoothed touched Noah's cheek for but a second before leaving the room.
When Brooke left the room she left the door ajar and took her time walking back down the stairs, at the kitchen entrance Brooke stopped, she sighed as she looked out to where Sam was still sitting on the couch. Something stopped Brooke, the younger girl had grown so much since she'd left Brooke's care and Sam had a way of looking straight into Brooke's soul.
A part of Brooke was furious at Haley for discussing such private things with Sam, there was another part of Brooke that was angry at herself for Sam meeting Clay and finding out about them. Brooke wasn't ashamed of her non-relationship with the agent, they both knew the score, they both enjoyed the company, and nobody was getting hurt. Brooke reminded herself that her friends judgement came from a place of love, they wanted more for her and Brooke could not fault them for that, she only wished they kept in mind what Brooke wanted too.
With little effort Brooke placed a smile on her face and walked into the kitchen, her body ached all over and even though her stomach was twisting inside Brooke rushed and grabbed her stash of chocolate and silently sat next to Sam again. At the same time they both grabbed a chocolate bar and ate it in unison, Brooke moaned while Sam got more comfortable and rested her head against Brooke's shoulder.
-x-
At six in the morning Noah Davis-Scott woke, he remained where he was for a minute before he got out of bed and promptly made it. After checking that his cousin was asleep, Noah slipped on his robe and slipped before picking up his book and taking the stairs down to the kitchen.
The television glowed from the family room and Noah could see Sam's arm hanging over the couch, it didn't make sense to the boy that Sam would choose to sleep on the couch instead of in the guest bedroom that was designed for her. Noah poured himself a glass of water and quietly made his way to the library, it was Noah's favourite room most days, he loved the floor to ceiling bookshelves even though they were mostly empty and what little filled them was mostly not books.
Brooke had made a corner for Noah, half his own books were lined up in the shelves, and a large leather chair just for him. Noah liked to read in the spot, or work on his homework, and when he took a break he would sit and watch his mother work on the other side of the large room. Noah liked to watch his mother work, she always appeared so graceful and the more excited she became the bigger the bounce in her step became.
There was a look his mother wore than Noah loved to see as well, he loved how she could go from concentration to exasperation or joy in a second. Her smile was Noah's favourite thing, he hadn't understood why people found smiles so beautiful until he saw his mother's, it didn't just light up her face or the room, it lit up all those surrounding Brooke as well.
Noah opened the novel his father had gotten him, admitting that he was finding fiction more enjoyable than he used too. Just over three chapters later Noah stopped reading, his ears perked up and the boy frowned.
A second later Noah abandoned his book and tiptoed to his mother's bedroom door, Noah knocked, "Mom?" and a moment later more insistent "Mom, are you okay?"
When his mother answered her voice was muffled, "one second" and when she opened the door Noah's frown increased. Brooke was pale, all colour had left her face, and her eyes were pinched with pain.
"You're not well" Noah stated.
Brooke walked slowly back to her bed and lay down, Noah grabbed the edge of the duvet and pulled it over Brooke, "I can take care of you. Would you like a drink?"
With a cringe Brooke shook her head, she tried to smile "I'm okay. I'm just going to sleep some more" and she closed her eyes.
Leaving the room Noah went back to the family room and stood by Sam, he shook the teenager and called her name, and with a swat of her hand Sam rolled over "whrrrwhatisit?" Sam covered her eyes with her arm.
"Mom's unwell"
Sam opened one eye and looked at Jamie, "I'm up" Sam said with just a touch of complaint and she left the room half asleep with Noah following behind. Once Sam went into Brooke's room, she shut the door with Noah still on the other side, the boy stared at the closed door for a long moment and then he returned to the kitchen.
A few minutes later Sam came into the kitchen, stood by the microwave for a few minutes and then left the room with a bucket in one hand.
Without a word Noah started making breakfast, silently moving around, and when Jamie finally woke it was to breakfast already waiting for him.
The three children sat around the kitchen table, Sam pulled apart her toast with her teeth, chewing loudly, "so, pipsqueaks, what should we do today?"
Neither boy answered, Sam eyed the windows to outside before looking at Noah and Jamie, "y'think Brooke will mind if we borrow the boat?"
In unison they both answered, "yes". Sam sighed.
None of them were that hungry and breakfast was a slow and lazy event, Sam sent them upstairs to get ready for the day and cleaned up while she waited. Soon Jamie was running down the staircase while Noah walked behind him, "right, I'm going to jump in the shower and you two delinquents can entertain yourselves for ten minutes".
Forty minutes later Jamie and Noah sat next to each other in the family room, "soooo…" Jamie drawled, "wanna play tag?"
"No, thank you"
Jamie popped his lips, his hands rubbed his knees in boredom, "you wanna play guitar hero?" and the look Noah sent him was answer enough, "wanna steal the boat?" Jamie grinned instead.
"Okay, I'll play tag".
-x-
After lunch Brooke fell asleep again, a sound woke her though she didn't recognise what it was at first before Brooke realised it was her phone ringing.
"Hey" Brooke answered.
"Hi, Brooke. I'm going to come pick Jamie up in half an hour" Haley's voice came through the line and Brooke woke up quickly at the emotions in her friends voice.
"Haley… is everything okay?"
"It's Dan… he died during the night" it wasn't sadness in Haley's voice, Brooke recognised the worry and felt the same.
"How's Nathan coping?" and before Haley could answer she added, "has Lucas been told"
"Yeah, Deb called Karen and she's telling Lucas." Haley sighed, "Nathan, well, Nathan is Nathan. A million mixed emotions, their relationship was complicated to say the least"
"That's an understatement. I'll make sure Jamie's ready" Brooke said into the silence, she hugged the phone to her ear "love you, Tutor Wife"
"You too" Haley disconnected the phone call and Brooke let out a deep breath.
Minutes later Brooke stepped out of her shower and quickly dressed, with all her effort she found the boys and instructed Jamie to go pack his bag. Noah watched Brooke with careful eyes and she kissed the top of his head, "how about when your cousin has gone home, the three of us watch a movie in my bed?"
"Okay" he nodded quietly.
Brooke and Sam gave Jamie a hug goodbye when Haley arrived, he went with his mother even though his face clearly showed he was confused why he was being picked up early, but he smiled and waved goodbye, "hope you feel better, Aunt Brooke!"
In the doorway Brooke stood with Sam and Noah on each side of her, all three of them waved goodbye.
-x-
Three days later when the doorbell rang Brooke was surprised, she wasn't expecting anyone and alone in the house Brooke took her time to answer. Before opening the door, Brooke looked through the peephole and paused, her eyes widened in surprise.
Her pupils danced around before Brooke took a breath and opened the door, "hi, what are you doing here?" she rushed out.
Clay stood on the other side dressed in a black suit with a crisp ivory shirt, a nervous smile on his face, "I thought I could pick you up?" he frowned as soon as he said the words, his light eyes going up and down Brooke's outfit. Contrary to Clay's formal suit, Brooke was dressed as casually as she could be in skinny leg jeans and a red and black off the shoulder shirt, her hair tied in a messy pony, with not one layer of make-up on her face.
"Uh…"
"Dan Scott's funeral" Clay smiled, "I didn't know the guy but I'm attending to support Nathan. I thought, I might feel less weird if I go with-"
"I'm not going" Brooke looked sideways and bit the corner of her lip.
Clay stepped back, "oh. That's fine, I thought… but, yeah, don't worry about it" he waved it off and took another step back.
"Okay, bye Clay" she felt uncomfortable having Clay at her front door, he'd only been at her house a couple of times and after Sam caught Clay half naked in the kitchen, Brooke hadn't let him visit since. As soon as Clay had left, Brooke closed the door again and continued what she was doing, she grabbed her bags and keys and quickly left the house.
Ten minutes later Brooke pulled into the driveway and lugging the bag over one shoulder, a bottle in one hand and a six pack in the other she walked to the door and knocked with one elbow.
Lucas opened his front door with weary eyes and all nervousness left Brooke, she lifted her hands and smiled "pick your poison?"
For a second Lucas just stared at Brooke and then he cracked a smile and gave a laugh, he opened the door wider silently letting Brooke inside. She slipped by him and Lucas took the six pack, "good choice" Brooke winked.
Brooke moved to the dark couch and Lucas handed her a bottle from the sick pack, they both twisted the lids and linked their bottled together before taking a long swallow.
"You want to talk?" Brooke asked after a few minutes, Lucas shook his head and reached for a second bottle.
They stayed splayed next to each other on the couch for a long time, eventually Lucas leant his head back, "I don't feel sad… I had been angry at Dan for so long and now it's just… gone"
"He wasn't your father, not in the way that counts. Keith raised you, loved you and shaped you into the man you are, not Dan Scott"
"Sometimes…" Lucas turned to look at Brooke, "I fear that there's more of him in me than I can admit"
Brooke licked her licks and briefly looked down, his eyes looked grey today and they seared into her heart, looking back into his confused gaze Brooke shook her head in denial. If there was one thing Brooke trusted about Lucas Scott it was that he wasn't his father's son, "I remember how Dan treated Nathan his whole childhood, the way he treated you and Karen, even Deb. Dan never grew up, he reacted to everything like an angry little boy and he took out his own frustrations on everyone around him instead of owning up to how he had fucked up his life" she shook her head again and took a small sip from her bottle, "you're nothing like him" she whispered.
Lucas didn't appear convinced and it broke Brooke's heart a little bit, parental issues was one thing Brooke could relate to but Brooke had never really thought of Dan as Lucas' father, the man had little to do with Lucas his entire life and whenever she pictured Lucas with his father it was Keith that came to mind.
"You remind me so much of Uncle Keith. You know, he'd be so proud of you"
"Thanks, Brooke. For this… for everything"
"We're still friends, Luke" Brooke was quick to say and she gave him a genuine smile, "do you remember the first time I met Keith"
Lucas gave a hearty laugh, "how could I forget. We were so lucky it wasn't my mom"
"Karen loves me" Brooke giggled feeling the alcohol going to her head, "I'm like the daughter she never… wait, ah… yeah… the daughter she never had until well… Lily" and the lost look on her face as she tried to articulate her meaning made Lucas smile even more. "Anyway" Brooke drawled, "why are we talking about me? Tell me your favourite Keith memory"
"I don't know, there's so many"
"You have to have a favourite"
"Okay" Lucas' eyes narrowed as he rested more comfortably on the couch and thought back to when he was younger, he lifted a finger as he started "it'd when I was ten. My grandma was sick so Ma went to stay with her for a week and I stayed with Keith. There was this boy at school who really liked making things hard for me and we got into a fight, I don't remember what over." Lucas got lost in the memory, "and I was so scared to go to school so I pretended to be sick and Keith saw right through it but he didn't say anything, he called the school said I was sick and then told me to get dressed. He took me camping, we slept in this tiny tent and he taught me how to start a fire. It was great, we fished and he gave me my first sip of beer, and we just talked. We were there for three days and it was just… real".
"That's beautiful" Brooke commented.
They lapsed into silence and then Lucas poured them each a drink, "to Keith" he lifted his glass.
Brooke raised her own, "to Keith".
After they each drank half their glasses Brooke suddenly stood up, "I think we need to add food to this party. I'll order pizza" she stepped over Lucas' legs that were perched on the coffee table to reach for the home line.
Lucas listened as Brooke effortless ordered their favourites and as she hung up and went to step over his legs again Lucas grabbed her hand, his eyes met hers, "thanks, Brooke. I really mean it"
She gave a nod and let him hold her hand a moment longer before she slipped her hand free, "anytime" Brooke promised.
-x-